Harness for control of upper extremity prosthesis



June 15, 1965 c. M. COOPER ETAL 3,188,655

HARNESS FOR CONTROL OF UPPER EXTREMITY PROSTHESIS Filed April 5, 1962 1b 1c FIG. 4. mvmons 02ml. MART/N COOPER WILL/AM a. SULMO/VETT/ MD. CLARENCE A. RE/VFEO in m ATTORNEY United States Patent HARNESS FOR CONTROL OF UPPER EXTREMITY PROSTHESIS Carl Martin Cooper, 3434 Millbrook; William B. Sulmonetti, 805 Alamos Ave.; and Clarence A. Renfro, 5738 N. Palm Ave., all of Fresno, Calif.

Filed Apr. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 185,419

2 Claims. (Cl. 312.1)

This invention specifically applies to a type of shoulder harness for needs of most B/E and A/E amputees for the suspension of the prosthesis and controls for operation of the terminal device.

An object of this invention is to provide an efficient method of transmitting energy for the control of the terminal device with the aid of the Delto-Pectoral Scapular Suspension Loop.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Delto- Pectoral Scapular Suspension Loop which has two fixed areas of control with the body for function but which spans across the axilla thus eliminating any pressure orconstricting or binding force in the axilla, hence there is no irritating or cutting of the skin in the axilla and there is no need for padding to protect the axilla.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a harness for a B/E or A/E amputee that will enable him to control the terminal device regardless of the position of the normal upper extremity at any particular moment.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a front view of a B/E amputee with the Cooper harness in place in accordance with the invention showing a B/E prosthesis, the suspension strap, the shoulder loop strap, and part one and part two of the Delto-Pectoral Scapular Suspension Loop with the normal upper extremity elevated to the side with forearm over head, with terminal device ready for action.

FIGURE 2 shows the back view of a B/ E amputee with Cooper harness in place showing part two and part three of the Delto-Pectoral Scapular Suspension Loop in place with should loop strap, suspension strap and control strap- A and -B with attachment to the control cable.

FIGURE 3 shows the Delto-Pectoral Suspension Loop in detail.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

In carrying out the invention referring now specifically to the drawing, the Cooper harness for control of upper extremity prosthesis for B/ E amputees, is made up of the Delto-Pectoral Scapular Suspension Loop 1, 2, 3, and FIGURE 3, the suspension strap 4, the shoulder loop strap 5, control strap 6, and attachment for control cable 7.

The Delto-Pectoral Scapular Suspension Loop is made of a rigid material and fits comfortably in the deltopectoral groove, axilla and over the scapula. It is divided into three portions for description; the anterior portion 1, central portion 2 and posterior portion 3. These three portions form a generally L-shaped configuration as shown in the drawings, the anterior portion 1 forming the upright leg of the L, the central portion 2 forming the lower bar of the L and posterior portion 3 forming a serif which curves to the rear and upwardly, all three portions forming a single rigid supporting and control member. The anterior portion is divided into three parts: the attachment for the shoulder loop strap 1a, the part that rests in the delto-pectoral groove 1b, and the part that curves over the anterior axillary wall 10. The central portion of the 3,188,655 Patented June 15, 1965 "ice Delto-Pectoral ScapularSuspension Loop spans from the anterior axillary wall to the level of the axillary border of the scapula. The posterior portion begins at the level of the axillary border of the scapula, then extends backward, upward and medially toward the medial portion of the spine of the scapula. At the lower portion just as it begins to curve upward is the attachment 3a for the control strap 6, and at the upper portion which is directed toward the spine of the scapula is the attachment 3b for the suspension strap 4. The first part of the Delto- Pectoral Scapular Suspension Loop is maintained in the delto-pectoral groove by the shoulder strap 5, and the third part of the Delto-Pectoral Scapular Suspension Loop is maintained in relationship to the inferior border of the scapula by the control strap 6, and in relationship to the spine of the scapula by the suspension strap 4. When the Cooper harness is applied with its attachment to the prosthesis and control cable 7, the Delto-Pectoral Scapular Suspension Loop remains in the above stated position at all times.

When function of the terminal device 8 is desired the amputee can do so by extending forward the arm with the prosthesis as in FIGURE 2, pressure is then applied in the delto-pectoral groove, the control strap 6 and shoulder loop 5, and in the region of the lower portion of the scapula by control strap 6. When the arm with the prosthesis is not moved forward the terminal device can function by bringing forward the opposite shoulder, pressure then is exerted in the delto-pectoral groove and over the lower scapular region with energy transmitted for function of the terminal device. The combination of these two methods for operation of the terminal device can be coordinated with resulting smooth control of the terminal device. During these movements there is no constricting pressure applied in the axilla.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the :art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and ac cordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus completely and fully described the invention, what is now claimed as new is as follows:

1. A delto-pectoral scapular suspension loop for an upper extremity prosthesis comprising a rigid generally L-shaped member, said member having a vertically extending anterior leg and a horizontally extending portion, said anterior leg having an upper substantially straight vertical portion arranged to rest in the delto-pectoral groove and a lower portion arranged to curve over the anterior axillary wall, said horizontally extending portion being arranged to span from said anterior axillary wall to the level of the axillary border of the scapula and extending backward and upward toward the medial portion of the spine of the scapula, a harness strap attachment on the upper end of said anterior leg, a pair of harness strap attachments on the posterior end of said horizontally extending portion, a harness comprising a suspension strap having one end attached to the posterior end of said horizontally extending member, said strap being arranged to pass across the back and over the shoulder on the prosthesis side of the body and having its opposite end adapted to be attached to a prosthesis on the anterior side, and control means comprising a pair of straps, one strap of said pair having one end attached to the upper end of said anterior leg and being arranged to pass over the adjacent shoulder and across the back to a posterior end, the other strap of said pair having one end attached to the posterior end of said horizontally extending member and arranged to extend across the back,

a control cable for a prosthesis on said connectedstrap ends.

prising a generally L-shaped rigid member having a vertically extending anterior leg and an underarm portion with a posterior extremity; said suspension strap compris' ing a shoudler strap having a posterior end attached to said posterior extremity and an anterior end adapted for attachment to the prosthesis; one of said'control straps comprising a shoulder strap having one end attached to a V the upper end of said anterior leg, the other control strap being attached at one end to said posterior extren1ity,-the

the opposite ends ofsaid pair of straps being connected together, and 'a connection for opposite'ends of said control straps being connected together; and' a connection for a control cable for the Prosthesis on the connected endsof said straps.

References Cited the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,273,166 9/ 18 Caron, 3- 12.1 1,557,703 10/257 Kenney- ;3-12.1 1,402,709 '1/22 Blatchford 3--12.1 1,793,776 2/31 Clayto n e 2s 7s 7 2,858,827 11/58' Vilpou' 128-78 I FOREIGN PATENTS 1,143,884 4/57 France.

RICHARD AIGAUDET, Primary Examiner. 

2. A HARNESS FOR CONTROL OF AN UPPER EXTREMITY PROSTHESIS COMPRISING A SUSPENSION LOOP, A SUSPENSION STRAP, AND A PAIR OF CONTROL STRAPS; SAID SUSPENSION LOOP COMPRISING A GENERALLY L-SHAPED RIGID MEMBER HAVING A VERTICALLY EXTENDING ANTERIOR LEG AND AN UNDERARM PORTION WITH A POSTERIOR EXTREMITY; SAID SUSPENSION STRAP COMPRISING A SHOULDER STRAP HAVING A POSTERIOR END ATTACHED TO SAID POSTERIOR EXTREMITY AND AN ANTERIOR END ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE PROSTHESIS; ONE OF SAID CONTROL STRAPS COMPRISING A SHOULDER STRAP HAVING ONE END ATTACHED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID ANTERIOR LEG, THE OTHER CONTROL STRAP 